By Patricia Schallert –
In their 70s, Steve and Cheryl Kornberg have embraced a life of adventure, living aboard their 50-foot, steel-hulled sailboat in Ventura Harbor.
Steve’s love of sailing began in his youth, when he built a wooden boat affectionately nicknamed “Little Stevie Wonder” by friends. Though he grew up in North Hollywood, he has spent half his life at sea, balancing sailing with a career as a lawyer in San Francisco and Hawaii. His deep connection to the ocean and Southern California roots ultimately shaped his decision to pursue a cruising lifestyle.
At 21, Steve faced a life-threatening medical crisis that prompted him to reevaluate his priorities and pursue his true passion. While he remained committed to his legal work as a legal services tenant lawyer, sailing became central to his life after he met Irving Rosenthal in 1972. Rosenthal, a strong supporter of nonprofit organizations, encouraged Steve to “make life your art.” Inspired, Steve structured his life so he could sail half the time while continuing his legal practice in Hawaii.
This balance allowed him to experience the freedom and beauty of the open sea while sustaining his livelihood and avoiding burnout. Steve and Cheryl, married for 28 years, took that philosophy further during a global voyage from 2015 to 2017, when they served as an escort and safety vessel for the Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa during its worldwide Mālama Honua (“Caring for the Earth”) journey.
Hōkūleʻa navigated exclusively by traditional methods, without modern instruments. That journey — during which Steve turned 70 — reinforced a powerful lesson: It is never too late to pursue one’s passions and live authentically. By embracing sailing as their art, Steve and Cheryl say they found renewed purpose and happiness.
“Cruising is more than just a hobby — it’s a lifestyle,” Cheryl said.
That lifestyle centers on Gershon II, their 50-foot, 30-ton steel sailboat, strong enough to withstand major storms and affectionately dubbed “our four-wheel drive on the ocean.” Steve named his first boat Gershon after his great-grandfather, who worked as a sailor hauling gypsum barges in the Black Sea. Years later, a rabbinical student told Steve the name Gershon appears in the Bible, meaning “a stranger in a foreign land.” While in Fiji, Steve later learned the fuller interpretation: a stranger in a foreign land who is always to be treated like family.
Photo by Patricia Schallert,
Serving as an escort boat for Hōkūleʻa allowed Steve and Cheryl to immerse themselves in Indigenous cultures, ancient voyaging traditions and global environmental stewardship. Sailing at a safe distance, they traveled west from New Zealand, visiting islands and countries, engaging with local communities and participating in festivals. Encounters with native peoples, anthropologists and the warm welcome they received in Tahiti remain among their most cherished memories.
As they passed landmarks such as the Cape of Good Hope, the boats were greeted by communities eager to share stories and traditions spanning continents. Guided by the stars — including Arcturus and Spica — the voyage became a testament to exploration, connection and the enduring human spirit.
Life aboard a boat comes with challenges, particularly in close quarters. Patience, Cheryl said, is essential.
“We had to practice patience as we sailed around the world with others on board for two years,” she said. “Everyone had duties — standing watch, cooking and cleaning — and the boat was never left unattended.”
They were fortunate to encounter favorable conditions most of the time, with Steve carefully monitoring weather systems before each passage. Still, over nearly 30 years of cruising, Cheryl recalled three major storms: enduring 50- to 70-knot winds between New Zealand and Fiji, days of lightning from a stationary front, 25-foot swells, an earthquake at sea, and a cyclone near Rarotonga.
Their partnership has been key to navigating both the ocean and their relationship. Steve oversees deck operations, while Cheryl manages below deck, each holding equal authority in their respective areas. Though disagreements arise, they respect each other’s expertise.
Cheryl’s background as a massage therapist, real estate agent and manager has proven valuable. Together, they prioritize patience, trust and commitment, enjoying walks on the beach and camping trips that strengthen their bond. To escape Ventura’s summer fog, they often travel by van to destinations such as Banff and Jasper in Canada, drawing on a shared love of the outdoors.
For those considering “living their art,” Steve advises maintaining a positive outlook and refusing to let age impose limits.
“Ask yourself what you would do if you had only a week left to live,” he said. “Age shouldn’t hold you back — just keep going to keep going.”
Cheryl agrees. “If you give up, life can go downhill,” she said. “Don’t hesitate to ask for help, and don’t dwell on being unhappy.”
Now in their mid- and late 70s — with Steve turning 80 this year — they remain busy planning new adventures, whether by boat or car. Living economically aboard a boat, they note, is achievable, and owning a single vehicle offers significant savings.
Their guiding belief remains unchanged: “Life is your canvas, and you are the artist.”
As the sun sets over the horizon from the deck of their boat, Steve and Cheryl reflect with gratitude on the new chapter they have begun in Ventura. Ventura Harbor has become their sanctuary — a place to relax, connect with like-minded people and dream of future journeys. Looking ahead, they feel both contentment and anticipation for the endless possibilities still to come.
